Hot A/C at idle?

zeruin · #1 09-01-2009, 03:53 PM

Hey guys.. try not to flame me too much.. but I have an 06 Honda Civic coupe EX and I've noticed the A/C doesn't seem to be working like it should. It's my wife's car, and I don't drive it.. but there's definately something wrong.

Here's the issue. Whenever I'm at stop lights or driving slowly through a parking lot or drive through, my AC blows out hot air. When I'm driving at stable speeds around 35 or above, the AC runs fine.. and it's an icebox at highway speeds.

Now I live in Texas.. so I'm sure that doesnt help much.. but this is obviously HOT air coming out of my AC when idling and what not.. it's cooler to roll down the windows.

Any ideas? It's about $125 just to take it in and have them run diagnostic on it, so I'd like to have some ideas of what to expect? It's outta warranty.. so no luck there.

From what I've read, it might be a faulty A/C fan clutch or something along those lines? Anyone have any suggestions or troubleshooting tips?

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bbarber275 · #2 09-01-2009, 03:56 PM

You a/c needs to be recharged.I bet you have a small leak in the a/c system.

zeruin · #3 09-01-2009, 04:12 PM

How could there be a freon leak and the A/C still be working at speeds over 35? Even with 100+ ambient air, the A/C runs fine at speeds over 35or so, and very nice at highway speeds.

zeruin · #4 09-01-2009, 06:05 PM

cmon guys.. don't hate me because I own a Honda.. lol

seriously though, I went to go drive it around a little bit, and noticed that the two fans up front intemittently turn off/on at idle. It's a noticeable fluctuation between the system having air pushed through with them on and it simply sucking up ambient air with them off.

Another thing, the car shakes quite a bit when the fans shut on and off.. it feels like there's a lot of pressure.. lol? What controls the fans? Is the shaking the compressor turning off/on?

Isn't there any way to just keep the fans turned on while I sit idled? It doesn't make sense for them to want to turn off when it's 100+ outside..

scruffy · #5 09-01-2009, 06:40 PM

This def sounds like it just depends on airflow through the heat exchanger. The shake you feel when the fans turn on/off is actually prob the sudden strain on the alternator. I know that when my fans turn on they put a strain on my alternator and sometimes cause a dip in the motor rpm's.

You could try to buy a fan controller with a temperature sensor and wire one of the fans to it so that you have control over when its on/off.

zeruin · #6 09-01-2009, 07:48 PM

I posted this up in the Honda forums as well.. I don't think I've got a solution yet, but they've been thowing up some ideas..

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/mecha...ml#post6504687

F150man21 · #7 09-01-2009, 07:51 PM

have you checked for a recall? i heard that others are having recalls. also honda's a/c have never been good, my mom had one and it leaked freon and would do almost the same thing that you are describing. although the problem finally got solved when she bought a fusion

zeruin · #8 09-01-2009, 08:22 PM

lols.. From what I've read on the ricer forums is that it's apparently "normal" for the A/C compressor to cycle on/off every 30secs or so.. do most cars supposedly do this nowadays? I'd rather have ****ty fuel economy than a drive hot car, lol..

What controls the fans to turn on/off? Is this directly related to the compressor? Is it possible to keep the fans from shutting off? How about the compressor.. think it's possible to keep that from shutting off?

btw.. here's another post to someone that has a very similar issue with his A/C getting hot.. feel free to skim over it if ya have the time

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/mecha...0-seconds.html

Bugman1400 · #9 09-01-2009, 10:03 PM

Your problem is most certainly a condensor airflow or heat removal issue. Luckily for you, there is a simple test. Turn your A/C on high. Take a water hose and spray a mist of water onto your condensor. Yes, the thing in front of your radiator. By doing this, you are performing the heat removal process. This process is usually achieved by driving above 30 MPH or having a functioning condensor fan. If while you are spraying the water, your A/C gets cold, your problem has been diagnosed. If not, you have other issues; check your refrigerant level. If the water spray worked then, if you have an electric fan, ensure that is comes on. Replace if necessary. If you have a clutch fan and your car is older than 8 years, replace the clutch. After that, clean your dirty ass condensor, you pig.

zeruin · #10 09-02-2009, 01:29 AM

Hmm.. well I've done a bit more digging.. but it seems as when the compressor cycles on and off, both fans also cycle on and off along with it.

I haven't tried the water test.. but I'm gonna take a wild guess that if I could get my fans to keep spinning at idle (instead of cycling off and on), this might be able to increase the cooling at idle?

Would it be possible or reasonable to install an additional electric fan with a control switch to help compensate for the current setup? Or maybe I could wire something to keep the existing fans on constantly, instead of shutting off with the compressor?

Bugman1400 · #11 09-05-2009, 10:49 AM

Installing an additional fan will not help. Most of the time, I see customers that have just plain clogged and dirty condensors. Remember, as you travel down the highway, your condensor is the first to suck up whatever garbage is out there....sand + dirt + oil = grime. If the bottom pf your condensor is oily and/or grimey, take a few mintues and try to scrub it clean with a tire brush and some soap and water. Let me know how things turn out. Sorry about the pig comment.